Bethlehem Man Cited On Drunk-driving Count Police

December 13, 1985|The Morning Call

A 19-year-old Bethlehem man was charged Tuesday by Bethlehem police with driving under the influence of alcohol and possessing a prohibited offensive weapon.

Police said David Alan Poniktera of 527 Jackson St. was charged by Patrolman Charles Holmberg after his investigation of an accident in which two parked cars and a parked truck were damaged in the 200 block of E. Fairview Street, about 60 feet west of Penn Street. The collision was reported at 7:49 a.m.

Poniktera reportedly told police he was eastbound on Fairview Street when he fell asleep. His car veered left and struck a parked car owned by Elwood Strohl of 1403 Center St., Bethlehem. Two other damaged vehicles, parked behind Strohl's, were a car owned by John A. Gilbert of 1437 Dalehurst Drive, Bethlehem, and a truck owned by James Francisco of 1606 Fairmount St., Bethlehem.

Police said the weapon charge was filed because Poniktera was carrying a spring-loaded knife.